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Carlos A. Ardila Rodriguez (1)

Astroblepids are closely related to the Loricariids, and in fact one genus of fish (Lithogenes Eigenman, 1909) seems intermediate between the two families, having the shape and form of an Astroblepid, but some plates on the body and other morphological characters closer to Loricariids. At the time of writing, Lithogenes is currently placed in Loricariidae. Astroblepus mojicai is in the the complex group of A. rosei and equal to A. bellezaensis, its adipose fin is a membrane without traces of a thorn. Description: Vertebrae: 26. Distinguished by having completely developed adipose membrane, 7 soft radii, premaxilla with 2-5 bicuspid teeth and 5-11 conic teeth in external row, and 26 vertebrae. Habitat: Fishes of the family Astroblepidae are found in freshwaters streams (between 200 to 13,400 feet above sea level) of the tropical Andes from Panama to Bolivia, and occur in both the western Pacific and eastern Amazonian slope drainage systems in South and Central America. Colouration: The head is a grey, eyes Blacks. Large oral disk (7.3-14.4 mm). Barbicelos long maxillary (6.6-11.6 mm). Lateral region of the body with brown background and dark irregular patches. Caudal fin with a broadband vertical colour pair are dark at the base and irregular striped rays are brown; the first simple radios are igua them and somewhat prolonged, abdomen is white. Aquarium Care: Not an easy family of catfishes to keep so they would have to have a large tank with rocks and some appropriate vegetation. The water would need to be fast flowing and provided with extra oxygen via an air tube fed into the powerhead flow. The tank should be set up with rocks so as to provide an area where the water current will be slower. Diet: Invertebrates, insect larvae, spirulina tablets or paste, algae based foods and live bloodworm would probably be the staple diet but you may wish to try glassworm and blackworm (although these won’t tend to stay on the substrate unless the current takes them there).

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Astroblepidae

South America: Colombia, Department of Nariño. River Peje afl uent Nambi. AFL font Telembí River, municipality barbecues.

7.5cm. (3ins)

15-20°c (57-67°f.)